Home comforts offer hope for Keith manager Craig Ewen of positive end to Breedon Highland League season
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WITH six of their remaining eight games at home, Keith boss Craig Ewen hopes their decent home form can see them overhaul some of the teams above them.
Since their 2-2 draw with Fraserburgh on December 2, the Maroons have only graced their Kynoch Park grass twice in more than three months.
In fact, February is the only month that supporters have been afforded the chance to watch their favourites at home.
That saw them draw 1-1 with Deveronvale on February 4 and slip to a 2-0 defeat to Lossiemouth on February 25.
Fans will be treated to a glut of home games to round off the season, starting with this Saturday’s visit of title-chasing Brechin City.
Four wins and three draws from their 11 home games so far, has compensated to a certain extent for horrendous away form which has garnered just four points on the road.
Second bottom on 19 points, only goal difference keeps them below Deveronvale but Keith have three games in hand on the Banff side.
However, a 13-point cushion to bottom side Strathspey Thistle ensures Keith are not looking over their shoulder at a relegation play-off.
For Ewen, the aim is simple: “At the minute we have just got to take one game at a time. We want to get as many points as we can between now and the end of the season and see where that takes us.”
Ewen admitted the problem in getting home games has made it difficult to build any momentum or continuity.
Goals have been the main problem, with just two from their last six outings.
However, if they can find a more clinical edge, Ewen is convinced they can secure some positive results before the end of the season.
“I would be happy if I get a repeat of the performance at Clach (2-1 defeat on March 4) where we played very well and created a lot of chances.
“I know against Brechin chances will be more limited as they are a team at the top of the table.
“However, all the pressure is on them and they need to keep winning to win the league.
“Brechin will be huge favourites for the game but if we get the rub of the green we could get a shock result.”
With just one defeat all season, and a miserly 15 goals conceded in their 25 games, anything other than a Brechin win on Saturday looks unlikely, however, the Angus side have won just one of their last three away league games.
With last weekend’s schedule visit to Grantown in cold storage, Ewen gave his players the weekend off as they have been able to train regularly in recent weeks at their indoor base at Aberdeen Sports Village.
After Brechin on Saturday, Keith welcome Forres Mechanics to Kynoch Park on March 25. That is a chance to complete a league double as their solitary win away from home came at Mosset Park.
April will be a busy month with five games to complete the season.
Keith’s schedule is: April 1: Nairn (away); April 5: Wick (home); April 8: Huntly (home); April 12: Strathspey (away); April 15: Inverurie (home); April 22: Banks O’ Dee (home)
The league title is a two-horse race with Buckie Thistle five points clear of Brechin, who have two games in hand, and they meet on the final day.
